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Meet the People Blocking a New Gas Mega-pipeline in Southern Italy | Global Voices

This article is based on content originally published on 350.org part of a partnership with Global Voices.

In southern Italy, local mothers, teachers, health workers, grandparents and olive farmers are leading a peaceful resistance to protect their land and their community from a planned gas mega-pipeline.

Since 13 November, hundreds of police imposed a ‘red zone’ around the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) construction site, prohibiting journalists, citizens and local government officials from accessing the area.

Nevertheless and despite facing a violent response by the police and individual fines of up to €10,000 the local communities of Melendugno are determined to continue their resistance to stop the construction of the TAP.

These are some of the people blocking the project:

Valentina is a local artisan who is no longer willing to stand aside as public money is spent for the private gain of multinational companies. She criticises the corruption and criminal interests surrounding the projects.